Gastroschisis

Gastroschisis Overview

Gastroschisis (gas-tro- skee-sis) is a birth defect where a baby’s intestines and sometimes other organs are positioned outside the abdomen through a hole next to the belly button. It occurs during fetal development and requires surgical repair, sometimes done in stages, shortly after birth. There are two main types of gastroschisis: simple and complex. Simple gastroschisis means the intestines are outside the abdomen at birth without additional complications. Complex gastroschisis involves the intestines being outside the abdomen plus related problems, such as abnormal intestinal formation, twisting or narrowing of the bowel, a hole in the intestine or tissue death. A rare, severe form of complex gastroschisis called vanishing (or closing) gastroschisis occurs when the abdominal wall closes over the intestines before birth, which can severely damage the external bowel and lead to intestinal failure or short bowel syndrome. Babies with this type of gastroschisis may require long term intravenous nutrition. This page provides information and resources about gastroschisis, including what it is, how it occurs and care across the lifespan.